Card Reader Comparison

If you need a mobile card machine for your business, or even if you've already got one but are thinking about replacing it because the rates are proving expensive then this blog is here to help you.

Before we compare the card readers, it's important to know that there are lots of different types so it's really key to firstly find out which one is going to be suitable. After all, you don't want to buy the wrong card machine and then be stuck with it.

Here's the thing, taking contactless card payments have never been easier because the customer just has to swipe the card and the payment is complete. This ease of use, is particularly handy as it can increase impulse purchases. On top of this, depending upon what card machine you get it can support Apple Pay, Google Pay and Samsung Pay making accepting payments even easier.

This depends on a quite a few things, but in general they are actually inexpensive. The only thing to look out for are rates, which can be often be reduced by choosing a contract (the longer the contract, the cheaper the rates). However, it's important to know what rates you may be expected to pay when you look to buy a card machine. So that's why, whilst you can get a card machine that's on a Pay As You Go tariff (much like a mobile phone), it's still worth comparing it against a contract. Of course, sometimes Pay As You Go is worth it because there's the flexibility of not needing a contract, but ultimately the rates you pay may be higher because of this trade off.

There are quite a few, but it will depend upon the card machine and the payment provider. But, here are the most common card payments that most mobile card readers accept:

American Express, Android Pay, Apple Pay, Diners Club International, JCB, Samsung Pay, MasterCard, Maestro, UnionPay, V Pay, Visa and Visa Electron. On top of this, most card readers (as we've mentioned earlier) can also accept Apple Pay, Google Pay and Samsung Pay too.